Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Rabbi Sacks' daughter:

'Despair is not a Jewish emotion'

In a moving speech, Gila Sacks asks what her father would say about the situation of Jews in Israel and the diaspora.

Insights for Sukkot

Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah in the profound thought of the UK's late world-renowned Chief Rabbi.

Ambassador Erdan:

'It is never too late to change'

Israel’s UN Ambassador shares words from the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ahead of Yom Kippur.

"Spare" -

When Prince Harry met Chief Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks

"He urged me not to be devastated, to make the world a better place."

Eight thoughts for eight nights (8)

When you use one lit candle to light another, neither is diminished. So it is with our spreading inner light and studying Torah.

Eight thoughts for eight nights (6 and 7)

In Judaism the greatest military victory takes second place to peace in the home..

Eight thoughts for eight nights (5)

Inspired by faith, we can change the world.

Eight thoughts for eight nights (4): The clash of civilizations

Inspired by faith, we can change the world.

Eight thoughts for eight nights (3)

Inspired by faith, we can change the world.

Eight thoughts for eight nights (2)

Inspired by faith, we can change the world.

Eight thoughts for eight nights (1)

Inspired by faith, we can change the world.

Jews from 150 nations to commemorate Rabbi Sacks

Jewish communities from six continents to join special day inspired by late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

The Art of Listening

Did not Adam and Eve already have this forbidden knowledge before eating the fruit in virtue of being “in the image and likeness of God”?

Insights into Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

Ceremony and celebration for the last part of the Sukkot holiday.

Sukkot insights

Articles, quotes, videos and more for individual and family enrichment.

Insights into Yom Kippur

Resources to enrich your experience and that of your loved ones: Letters to the next generation, reflections on prayer, 10 Days 10 Ways,

Pres. Herzog:

Rabbi Sacks' legacy will change the dialogue in the Jewish world

Government officials, Jewish communal figures, and religious leaders gather to reflect on the moral teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks.

Pres. Herzog hosts event in memory of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

2nd annual Sacks Conversation, in memory of former British Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem

Her Majesty the Queen

In the words of Rabbi Sacks: 'The Queen has spoken gently to the better angels of our nature.' In memoriam.

The Three Weeks in our time

Remember the past but do not be held captive by it. Still, in today’s fast-moving culture, we undervalue acts of remembering.

The curse of loneliness

Jews were hated because of their religion, then.they were hated because of their race, now they are hated because of their nation state

Covenant & Conversation for Chukat: Anger Management

Maimonides sets out a surprisingly contemporary account of Judaism as a training in emotional intelligence. Moses' anger as an example.

When truth is sacrificed for power

In a contest for power, if I lose, I lose. But if I win, I also lose, because in diminishing my opponents I have diminished myself.

Sanctifying the Name of God

The Jewish people categorise all the victims of the Holocaust and later, all terror victims, as “those who died al kiddush Hashem.”

Insights for Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut

A collection of resources for learning about Israel's special days and teaching them to the family.

From priest to people

This parsha tells the story of one of the greatest, if rarely acknowledged, contributions of Judaism to the world.

Ceremony and Celebration: Inspiration for Pesach

Rabbi Sacks accompanies your Seder and the entire holiday in this choice of his unforgettable thoughts.

Violence and the sacred

Sacrifices divert the destructive energy of violent reciprocity. But justice could do the same, if society reached that level.

The spirit of community

It is almost as if Rabbi Sacks z"l is talking to us today, remarking on how Jews the world over are trying to help those in Ukraine.

Tetzave: Three important lessons for successful Jewish parenting

The three ways in whichl lighting the Menorah is comparable to educating chlldren.

Terumah: The labour of gratitude

Bad things may happen but God has already given us the remedy if we know where to look for it.

Mishpatim

Healing the heart of darkness

If knowledge, emotion, and reason lead us to be moral, why is it that humans hate, harm and kill?

The structure of the good society

Understanding the logical structure of the Ten Commandments, Many alternatives have been tried for these laws, and most have ended in tears.

The face of evil (Beshalach)

In today’s terminology, the Egyptians were rational, the Amalekites were not. Only with rational actors there can be negotiated peace.

Telling the Story

Macintyre: “I can only answer the question ‘What am I to do?’ if I can answer the prior question ‘Of what story.. do I find myself a part?’”

Free will and freedom

Enslaving others, Pharaoh himself became enslaved. He became a prisoner of the values he himself had espoused.

Shemot: On not obeying immoral orders

This parasha has the first recorded instance in history of civil disobedience.

When can we lie?

Truth and peace are both values, but which do we choose when they conflict? Not everyone among the rabbinic Sages agreed.

Light up your Hannukah with the teachings of Rabbi Sacks zt"l

As we celebrate Chanukah, here are a number of different resources from Rabbi Sacks zt"l about the Festival of Light! Hannukah sameach!

VAYESHEV:

The heroism of Tamar

From Tamar's bravery, the Sages learned that a person should be willing to jump into a furnace of fire rather than shame another in public.

Herzog awards posthumous award to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

President Herzog on late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks: He became a masterful articulator of the Jewish foundation of universal values.

Remembering my brother, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

"Over this last year,I lost a brother but gained a giant." Alan Sacks says in a special interview with Arutz Sheva

YU opens Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Center

New center inaugurated at Yeshiva University in honor of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks 1 year after his passing.

Jill Biden pays tribute to Jonathan Sacks at yeshiva fundraiser

First Lady gives keynote speech at Detroit yeshiva, paying tribute to former Chief Rabbi of Britain, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

For his first yahrzeit:

'How perfect were the Matriarchs and Patriarchs?' In memoriam

A deep and enlightening article that exemplifies the wisdom of the rabbi and mentor who passed away one year ago.

Beyond Nature

Covenant introduces moral law. A moral law is not the same as a scientific law. Scientific laws describe, whereas moral laws prescribe.

The meaning of Sukkot and the Sukkah

A selection of articles and videos of interest from the Rabbi Sacks archive on the holiday of Sukkot:

Rabbi Sacks on the meaning of the Sukkah

The late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on the Sukkot holiday: 'You can experience eternity in a moment - all you have to do is celebrate.'

A nation of storytellers

To know who we are is, in large part, to understand the story or stories of which we are a part.

Leaders learn

Biblical kings had prophets to guide them, but they continued to learn. That is the mark of a statesman rather than a politician.

Defining reality

We are a small nation. We are smaller than many of our neighbouring nations. But we are different.

To lead is to listen - Eikev 5781

In Judaism we do not see God; we hear God. To listen to God is to be open to God.and that is what Moses is saying throughout Devarim.

The fewest of all peoples

We may be the fewest of all peoples, but when we heed God’s call, we have the ability,to mend and transform the world.

Conflict Resolution: Matot-Masei 5781

The negotiation between Moses and the 2 tribes in our parsha follows closely the principles arrived at by the Harvard Negotiation Project,

The Three Weeks and Tisha B'Av

Questions, stories and points for discussion on the saddest period of the Jewish Year.

Miriam, Moses’ friend

Some say that the loss of a sibling is harder to bear than the loss of a parent - Moses has to deal with that bereavement in this parasha.

Servant leadership

What was wrong with Korach and his fellow agitators? He wanted power. HIs followers each had their reasons to feel resentful toward Moses.

Jerusalem, the beating heart of Judaism

In 2017,Rabbi Sacks spoke about the impact the Six Day War had on him as a young student at university..

Sprints and Marathons: Acharei Mot–Kedoshim 5781

The good news is: there once was a Moses. Because of him, the people survived. The bad news is: what happens when there is no Moses?

Rabbi Sacks on the Holocaust

From the writings of Rabbi Sacks: questions, stories and points for family discussion and a prayer composed by Rabbi Sacks for Yom HaShoah.